5 Well Known Health Benefits Of Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are the leaves known for their medicinal properties. They protect our body against oxidative stress and provide benefits like managing diabetes, improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, reducing respiratory problems, and optimizing digestion.

Many types of plant leaves are referred to as “bay leaves”, but the true bay leaf is scientifically known as Laurus nobilis.. Many other leaves with a similar appearance and aroma like true bay leaves exist, but they doesn’t have the same nutrient content. Bay leaf plant is a small tree native to the Mediterranean region. Bay leaves provide many health benefits, and have been part of culinary and medicinal words since Roman times.

# Improves Digestive Health

Bay leaves are good for stomach and improves our digestive system.Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds in bay leaves protects our digestive system from free radical damage.It reduces the risk of several cancers such as colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, abdominal cancer, and intestinal cancer, etc.

Dietary fibers in bay laves are natural laxative that improve bowel movement, relieve constipation, and other digestive problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc. The antimicrobial properties of bay leaves protects our digestive system from bacterial and fungal infections, and reduces the risk of stomach ulcers.

# Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Bay leaves contain several anti-inflammatory compounds like vitamin C, vitamin A, parthenolide, and dietary fibers, etc.These compounds provide relief from the pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma, and bronchial asthma.

Consuming bay leaves as well as topical application of bay leaves extract helps relieve pain and inflammation of the sore joints or areas affected by arthritis.

# Improves Respiratory Health

Bay leaves improve our respiratory health due to the abundance of essential nutrients in them.

Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds like tannins, etc in bay leaves protect our respiratory system from free radical damage.

# Helps In Managing Cholesterol

Bay leaves help in managing cholesterol levels as they contain dietary fibers that reduce LDL cholesterol.

Vitamin C and other antioxidants in bay leaves reduce cholesterol oxidation and help in cholesterol management.

This prevents the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the arterial walls and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems.

# Regulates High Blood Pressure

Bay leaves contain potassium, a natural vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common health condition that affects millions around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.

If you take blood pressure medication, consult your doctor before adding bay leaves to your food items to ensure there is no food-drug interference risk.